How to Easily Clean Leather Shoes with Household Products

Leather shoes are known to offer a wide range of benefits. There are so many reasons why you can never go wrong with a pair of high-quality leather shoes. Firstly, leather shoes are breathable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. In addition, being a naturally strong material, they are durable. Therefore, having proper knowledge of how to clean leather shoes will help extend the life of your favorite leather shoes. If you are wondering how to clean your leather shoes, this is the perfect guide. This article will give detailed steps on how to clean leather shoes with household products easily.

You will need some items that you might already have in your home. They include; dish soap, microfiber cloth, baking soda, toothbrush, nail brush and file, hair conditioner, vinegar, toothpaste, talcum powder, leather polish, and saddle soap. Each product plays a unique role in the cleaning process.

How To Easily Clean Leather Shoes with Household Products

Genuine Leather

Remove Your Shoelaces:

After you have assembled your shoes, the first step is to remove the shoe laces. You don’t want dish soap or leather polish to stain your shoelaces, so it is best to get them out of the way. Wash your shoelaces and spread them to dry.

Remove Dirt with A Soft Brush:

If you notice dirt or a few scuffs on your shoes, gently run a soft brush through the surface of your shoes. Brush thoroughly to dislodge all dirt on the shoe. Be careful while using the brush to avoid scratching the leather.

Remove Deep Dirt and Stubborn Scuff:

To remove deep dirt from your leather shoe, apply saddle soap on a damp cloth and rub the lather into the leather. Then, wipe off the excess lather with a clean, damp cloth. Rub the shoes with a clean, dry cloth to produce a smooth luster.

Now that you have cleaned the surface of your leather shoes, the next step is to clean the soles. To achieve this, add a little dish soap and baking powder to a small water bowl and stir with a toothbrush. Dip the toothbrush into the mixture and use it to scrub the soles of your leather shoe. Use the microfiber cloth to wipe off dirt and soap from the soles.

Remove Sticky Dirt from Shoes, If Any:

If your leather shoes have scuff or dirt that won’t go off with regular cleaning, toothpaste can help to remove them. It can also remove sticky residue from your leather shoes’ surface without damaging them. To remove these sticky residues:

—Add a small amount of white non-gel toothpaste to a soft, damp cloth and rub it on the dirt in a circular motion.

—Continue until the residue disappears.

—Gently wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth to remove any toothpaste residue.

—Let the shoe air dry completely.

Remove Grease Stains, If Any.

If you have oil or grease stains on your leather shoes, it is no cause for an alarm. Carefully cover the stain with a sufficient amount of talcum powder. The powder absorbs the moisture from the grease out of the leather. Let the powder stay for 2-3 hours. Then, gently brush the powder away with your soft-bristled brush.

Condition Your Leather Shoes:

Hair conditioner is a household product and a substitute for leather conditioner. Hair conditioners contain wax and are excellent for moisturizing and protecting leather. Use a clean microfiber cloth to gently rub small amounts of the conditioner into your leather shoes. Leave to absorb for 15 minutes. It is essential to ensure that your leather shoes are clean and dry before conditioning.

If you want them shine…

The last step in cleaning your leather shoes is to polish them by following these steps:

—Take a little polish on a clean, soft cloth and gently rub it in a circular motion.

—Continue until you have covered your shoe with a thin layer. Apply a second layer if your shoe still looks dull.

— Leave to dry for 20 minutes.

The steps above are specifically for genuine leather shoes. Here is an detailed introduction for shining shoes if you want. Suede and Patent leather shoes require special treatment. You can clean your patent leather and suede shoes with household products in these steps:

Patent Leather

—Use a soft brush to dislodge loose dirt and remove any dirt within seams and crevices.

— Add a small amount of dish soap to a small water bowl and stir to form a mixture. Dip a microfiber cloth in the mixture and gently wipe any scuff or dirt on the surface of the shoes.

—Allow the shoes to air dry.

Another alternative method in cleaning your patent leather shoes is by using Petroleum jelly-yes, the Petroleum jelly, you know. Apply a small amount to a soft, clean cloth and slowly rub the leather with the cloth. Then use a dry, soft cloth to clean off excess Petroleum jelly. This will help keep your patent leather shoes shiny and looking brand new.

Suede Shoes

— Use a nail file to remove visible dirt on suede shoes gently.

— For scuff marks, use a nail brush or white eraser to erase them.

— However, some stains are ingrained deep into the shoe fabric. Vinegar does the magic here. Plain white vinegar has a strong cleaning power and can easily remove spots on suede. Pour white vinegar on a soft cloth and rub it into the suede.

— Allow the suede to dry and brush with a dry cloth.

Here is a more detailed guidance for cleaning suede shoes.

How to Easily Clean Leather Shoes with Household Products FAQs

How Often Should You Clean Your Leather Shoes?

This depends on your individual choice. However, leather shoes become brittle without appropriate care and will not last long. Therefore, it is ideal to properly clean your leather shoes every 2-3 weeks to protect the leather and preserve its shine.

How do you Clean White Leather Shoes?

White shoes are more complex to clean than dark-colored shoes. However, there are natural methods if cleaning your white leather shoes with household products.

— You can rub a dab of toothpaste into scuffs and dirt and scrub the stains off with a toothbrush.

—Wipe the white leather with a mixture of a quarter cup of vinegar and half a cup of olive oil. Then, use a soft cotton cloth to clean.

Should You Clean Your Leather Shoes with Water?

You can wipe your leather shoes with a slightly damp cloth. Never allow water to soak your leather material, as it will ruin it.

What Are Tips on How to Take Care of Your Leather Shoes?

• Don’t wear your shoes in the rain.
• Always clean your shoes before polishing.
• Keep your shoes out of direct sunlight.

How Do I Stop My Leather Shoes from Smelling?

Leather shoes can trap sweat and become smelly, especially when it is too tight, or you have worn them for a long time. Sprinkling baking soda inside the shoe effectively absorbs sweat and unpleasant odors. Here is a detailed instruction for getting rid of the odors of shoes.

In conclusion, clean your leather shoes every 2-3 weeks. Be careful not to let the water soak into the leather during cleaning. Also, never apply water or soap on suede as it will damage the material. Always air dry your shoes and do not expose them to direct sunlight.

We hope you enjoyed reading this guide. Drop a comment below if you found the leather shoe cleaning steps and tips helpful.

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